Automobile tie-down device



April 15, 1930. 5 v s AUTOMOBILE TIE-DOWN DEVICE Fileq Feb. 16, 1922 FIGJ.

gwue'nfo'v Edward 6', KW

attorney Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD S. EVANS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO E. S. EVANS 8t 00., INQ, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE AUTOMOBILE TIE-DOWN DEVICE Application filed February 16, 1922.

In loading automobiles, or other vehicles, in or on cars, it is important that the vehicle shall be Well anchored in order that it may not be jarred or forced out of position in transit. a

Therefore, to accomplish this with absolute positiveness and with a minimum amount of time, labor and expense devoted thereto and without danger of damage to the vehicle, is the primary object of this invention.

More specifically stated, an object of the invention is to provide automobile tie down devices in the nature of anchoring straps which may be previously prepared, and when the vehicle is in position for shipment, the anchor straps may be quickly attached to retain the vehicle in position, and then after the vehicle has arrived at its destination, the anchors may be quickly removed and again used in the same manner as before.

Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor strap of the above kind constructed of a strip of sheet metal intermediately return bent to embrace a wheel spoke and legs at each of said return bend extending at an angle to the return bent portion and terminating in feet engageable with a surface to form an attaching means, the return bent portion being twisted at substantially a right angle to the legs-so that the strip will flatly engage the spoke and the surface.

Still another object ofthe invention, is to provide an anchoring device of the above kind wherein the feet are of extremely simple and durable construction for efficiently holding to the surface without the necessity of employing separate nailing plates for the feet as has heretofore been practiced.

With the above general objects in view and others that will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists of the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawin and claimed.

ln the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational Serial No. 536,989.

view of an automobile wheel showing the same anchored by means of a tie down device constructed in accordance with the pres ent invention.

Figure 2 is a view partly in edge elevation and partly in central vertical section of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective View of the tie down device.

Figure at is a fragmentary perspective view showing an enlarged modified form of run.

chor foot in partially completed condition.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4: of the foot in completed condition, and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of still another form of anchor foot.

Referring more in detail to the several views, the present anchoring device comprises a member intermediately return bent as at 5 to embrace a wheel spoke and to provide legs 6 each side of said return bend extending at an angle to the return bent portion and terminating in feet 7 engageable with a surface 8, such as a car floor, to form an at taching means. This member is formed of a strip of sheet metal with the return bent portion 5 twisted as at 9 substantially at a right angle to the legs 6 so that the return bent portion 5 will flatly engage the spoke 10 of the vehicle wheel and so that the feet 7 will flatly engage the surface 8 as clearly shown in the several views.

The device is shown as formed of spring metal with the 6 corrugated as at 11 so as to make the device slightly elastic for cushioning the forward and backward movement of the automobile which is allowed to a very slight extent so as to prevent damage to the automobile in transit. However, the corrugations 11 may be omitted if the elasticity is not especially desired.

In accordance with the present invention, the feet 7 are formed by bending the free end portions of the straps at substantially right angles to the legs 6 and then folding or bending such portions backwardly upon themselves so as to provide the feet 7 of double thickness as clearly shown in Figs.2 and 3. In this way the two thicknesses forming the feet 7 are flat and in contact throughout so as to provide a durable means through which nails 12- or the like may be driven into the surface 8 for anchoring the automobile, the feet 7 being provided with perforations 13 so as to permit ready driving of the nails 12 therethrough.

The formation of the feet 7 in this way forms an important part of the present invention as it furnishes a simple and extreme- Ey durable attaching means wherein the employment of separate nailing plates or the like 1s rendered unnecessary and so that the manufacture of the device is reduced to a minimum, as to cost and labor.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5', wherein a modifind form of the feet is shown, one of the legs is illustrated at 6 with its en d portion'extcnding at an obtuse angle tothe leg proper as at 7 so as to flatly engage the surface as is the em with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and this portion is return bent as at 15 so as to flatly engage the upper surface of the portion '7 to provide a foot of double thickness. The strip is then bent obliquely as at 16 at a point near the juncture of the leg 6 with the portion 7 so that a foot member 17 is provided extending laterally beyond the side edges of the portions 7 and 15, and then the remaining portion 18 is return bent as at 19 so as to extend laterally beyond the opposite sideedges of the members 7' and 15, a T-shaped foot being thus formed with the head of the T at the juncture of the portion 7 with the leg 6.

It will thus be seen that the form of foot shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is substantially the same as the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3 with an extension folded upon an oblique line and then return bent to provide a cross foot memberor foot plate which may be perforated in three or four places as at 20 all located in a common transverse plane-so as to provide the holding, effect of three or more nails in unison. In use, under severe strains, these crossfoot members tend to stretch or buckle to a limited extent, thus affording a slight resilient action between the legs and the feet, whereby the tendency of the legs to break at points adjacent to the feet is reduced to a minimum if not eliminated altogether. The first return bent portion of the foot including the members 7 and 15 are also apertured as at 9:1 for reception of a nail or the like. This provides an extremely durable anchoring foot and embodies simplicity.

Referring to Fig. 6. one leg is illustrated at 6" with its end portion 7 xtending atan obtuse angle so as to flatly engage the surface, and this portion i .7 t-lded back or return bent as at 22 upon an oblique line so as to provide a: rearwardly and laterally extending portion 15. The strip is then return bent as at 19 upon am oblique line so as to provide an end portion 18 extending at right angles to and across the portion 7",. the portion 15 lying above the portions 7 and 18. The foot is provideo with nail-receiving openings 20 and 21 in the manner described with respectto F i n the forms of construction shown in Figs. f to 6 the foot plates or cross foot members are arranged transversely of the feet and for convenience of de. iption will be considered as being located outwardly from the legs with which they are respectively associated that is, each foot plate isonthe same side of the leg as the foot. The plates are permanently connectedto the feet in any suitable manner. [is shown, they are connected to the feet by integral connecting portions. The foot plates or cross foot members are yieldable, that is, they are of con'iparatively light gauge material. Preferably, they are of substantially the same gauge as the feet whereby they are capable of yielding slightly to permit slight upward movement of the legs with the upward movement of the vehicleincident to the lling and. bufiing shocks to which freight cars are subject.

It will be seen that, in all three formsof the invention shown and described, the feet comprise ends of the strip folded back upon themselv s or return bent.

T res l and hot the drawingit will be seen I have provided plate-means l8, and gure i plate-means 1'8, for secur g the feet to the floor of the freight car, said plate-means extending across the feet in fiat engagement therewith and provided with fastening-receiving perforations at opposite sides of the "eet,.and also-provided with fasteningrreceiving. openings in al gnment with similar openings in the feet, whereby fastenings may be driven through the aligned openings in the plate-means and the feetso as to secure together the plate-meansand the feet and to main am the device in place while driving fastenings through the perforations in the-plate-means.

F romv the foregoing description it is be licved that the construction and operation well as the advantage-softhe present invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may bemade in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed.-

lVhat is claimed as new is-:

1. An anchoring device for wheeled vehicles comprising a member intermedia-tely return bent. to embrace a wheel spoke and legs at each side of said return. bend extending at an angle to the return bent portion and terminating in feet engageable with a surface to forman attaching means, said feet comprising end portions bent at an angle to said legs and return bent into fiat engagement to form the feet of double thickness and adapted to havenails driven therethrough.

2. An anchoring device for wheeled vehicles comprising a member intermediately return bent to embrace a portion of a wheel and legs at each side of said return bend terminating in feet engageable with a surface to form an attaching means, said feet being extended at an angle to said legs and comprising end portions of the member return bent thereover into contacting relations with the feet so as to provide feet of double thickness.

3. An anchoring device for wheel vehicles comprising a member intermediately return bent to embrace a portion of a wheel and legs at each side of said return bend terminating in feet engageable with a surface to form an attaching means, said feet being extended at an angle to said legs and comprising end portions ofthe member return bent thereover into contacting relations with the feet so as to provide feet of double thickness, said feet being flat and having perforations for receiving anchoring nails.

4. An anchoring device for wheeled vehicles comprising a member intermediately return bent to embrace a Wheel spoke and legs at each side of said return bend extending at an angle to the return bent portion and terminating in feet engageable with a surface to form an attaching means, said feet comprising end portions bent at an angle to sald legs and return bent into fiat engagement to form the feet of double thicknesses and adapted to have nails driven therethrough, the re turn bent portions of the feet having extensions folded upon an angle to provide a transverse head member.

5. An anchoring device for wheel vehicles comprising a member intermediately return bent to embrace a portion of a wheel and legs at each side of said return bend terminating in feet engage-able with a surface to form an attaching means, said feet being extended at an angle to said legs and comprising end portions of the member return bent and folded so as to provide feet of double thickness having cross members said feet being flat and having perforations for receiving anchoring nails, the cross members of the feet having a series of perforations located in a common transverse line for providing for the simultaneous holding action of nails driven therethrough.

6. In a tie down device of the class described Wherein a return bent member is constructed of sheet metal and of one piece, feet upon the ends of said member each foot being formed by return bending upon angular lines and including an intermediate bend upon an oblique angle.

7. An anchoring device for wheeled vehicles comprising a member intermediately return bent to embrace a Wheel spoke and legs at each side of said return bend extending at an angle to the return bent portion and terminating in feet engageable with a surface to form an attaching means, said feet comrising end portions bent at an angle to said lbgs and return bent into flat engagement to form the feet of double thickness and adapted to have nails driven therethrough, the return bent portions of the feet being perforated and each having an extension folded angularly relative thereto.

' 8. In an anchoring device for wheeled vehicles wherein a return bent member has a wheel spoke engaging sect-ion at the bent portion thereof and side legs having anchoring feet at the free ends thereof, said member being formed of a single strip of sheet metal, the spoke engaging portion being angularly bent relatively to the legs to extend perpendicularl for intimately contacting the spoke, and saic feet being return bent and angularly disposed relatively to said legs.

9. In an anchoring device for wheeled vehicles wherein a return bent member has a wheel spoke engaging section at the bent portion thereof and side legs having anchoring feet at the free ends thereof, said feet being flat and disposed at an angle to said legs and each including an obliquely bent portion and a bent end carried by the obliquely bent portion extending across the foot.

10. In an anchoring device for Wheeled vehicles wherein a return bent member has a Wheel spoke engaging section at the bent portion thereof and side legs having anchoring feet at the free ends thereof, said feet being flat and disposed at an angle to said legs and each including right angularly disposed portions and an oblique connecting portion between two ends of the right angularly disposed portions.

11. In an anchoring device for wheeled vehicles wherein a return bent member has a Wheel spoke engaging section at the bent portion thereof and side legs having anchoring feet at the free ends thereof, said feet being flat and disposed at an angle to said legs and each including overlapping bent portions of substantial triangular formation.

12. In an anchoring device for wheeled vehicles wherein a return bent member has a Wheel spoke engaging section at the bent portion thereof and side legs having anchoring feet at the free ends thereof, said feet being flat and disposed at an angle to said legs and each including overlapping bent portions of substantial triangular formation, the terminal end of the bent portion extending across the main portion of the foot.

13. In an anchoring device for wheeled vehicles wherein a return bent member has a Wheel spoke engaging section at the bent portion thereof and side legs having anchoring feet at the free ends thereof, said feet being flat and disposed at an angle to said legs and each including overlapping bent portions, one of said portion-s extending at an acute angle to the main portion of the foot and another portion extending at right angle to the main portion of the foot and at an acute angle to the aforesaid acutel bent portion.

14. An anchoring device fbr Wheeled vehicles comprising a member formed from strap iron and provided with a return bend at its central portion to form a vehicle engaging loop and having its ends bent to form feet, and a strap iron element extending over each foot transversely thereto, said elements and feet being provided with apertures for receiving fastening devices for securing said vehicle to its support.

15. An anchoring device for wheeled vehicles comprising a member formed from sheet metal and provided with a return bend to form a loop for engaging a portion of a vehicle, and having its ends bent to form feet for engaging the vehicle support when said member is in operative position, and a cross- 1 foot member extending over each of said feet and secured thereto, said feet and cross-foot members being provided with apertures for receiving fastening elements for securing said vehicle to its support, certain of said apertures in said feet and cross-foot members belag in alignment.

16. Anchoring means for motor vehicles comprising a tie down formed of a strip of material bent to provide anchoring feet, each foot including a base portion and an upper overlying return bent portion and a reinforcing element extending over the base portion and beneath the return bent portion.

17. Anchoring means for motor vehicles comprising a tie down formed of a strip of material bent to provide anchoring feet, each foot including a base portion and an upper overlying return bent portion, and a foot late extending over the base portion and )eneath the return bent port-ion and anchored therein and said tie down foot and foot plate being adapted for anchoring to a car floor or other support.

18. Anchoring means for motor vehicles comprising a tie down formed of a strip of material bent to provide anchoring feet, each foot including a base portion and an upper overlying return bent portion, and a foot plate extending over the base portion and beneath the return bent portion and anchored therein and said foot plate being constructed to accommodate the anchoring thereof to a car floor or other support.

19. A device for anchoring a vehicle to the floor of a freight car during shipment, comprising a strip of sheet metal bent to form a loop for engaging a portion of a vehicle, the end portions of said strip forming legs and being bent to provide feet and an attaching portion for each foot extending to opposite sides of said foot and provided with openings for receiving fastening means for securing said device to said floor, said foot portion being provided with an opening substantially in alinement with openings in the attaching portion at each side of said foot, all of the openings through each foot and attaching portion being outwardly from the corresponding leg.

20. A device for anchoring a vehicle to the floor of a freight car during shipment comprising a metallic strap bent to form a loop for engaging a portion of the vehicle, the end portions of said strap being bent to form feet and a yicldable attaching late member permanently secured to each foot and extending transversely over said foot to each side thereof and provided with openings for receiving attaching elements at QtCll side of said foot, said plate being of comparatively light gauge material whereby said plate will yield when force is applied to said strap.

21. A device for anchoring a vehicle to the floor of a freight car during shipment comprising a metallic strap bent to form a loop for engaging a portion of a vehicle, the end portions of said strap being bent to form feet and a yieldable attaching plate member pern :a nently secured to each foot and extending transversely over said foot to each side thereof and provided with openings for receiving attaching elements at. each side of said foot. said foot and member being provided with openings in vertical alinement for receiving a fastening clement, said plate being of comparatively light gauge material whereby said plate will yield when force is applied to said strap.

22. A device for anchoring vehicles on freight car floors, comprising an anchor mem ber of strap iron bent to form a pair of legs and a vehicle engaging loop integral with and connecting the upper ends of the legs and adapted to snugly embrace a portion of the vehicle, the lower ends of the legs being bent into feet integral with the legs, metal plates of substantially the same gauge as that of the anchor member and overlying the feet and permanently connected thereto, the feet and plates having perforations, and fastenings to pass through the perforations and secure the plates and feet to the car floor, the plates being capable of yielding to permit slight upward movement of the legs with the upward movement of the vehicle incident to the pulling and butting shocks to which freight cars are subject.

23. A device for anchoring vehicles on freight car floors, comprising an anchor memher of strap iron bent to form a pair of legs and a vehicle engaging loop integral with and connecting the upper ends of the legs and adapted to snugly embrace a portion of the vehicle, the lower ends of the legs being bent into feet integral with the legs, and fastening means associated with the feet to secure said feet to the car floor, the fastening means being yieldable and permitting a slight upward movement of the leg with the vehicle under the effects of pulling and buffing shocks to which freight cars are subject.

24;. A device for anchoring an automobile to the floor of a shipping conveyance comprising a metallic strap bent to form a vehicle engaging loop between its ends, the end portions of said strap forming legs having portions thereof bent to form feet, a yieldable attaching plate extending over each foot and means for permanently connecting each of said plates to its respective foot, said'plates being located wholly outwardly from the respective legs and provided at eachside of said feet with apertures for receiving elements for securing said device to said floor.

25. A device for anchoring an automobile to the floor of a shipping conveyance comprising a metallic strap bent to form a vehicle engaging loop between its ends, the end portions of said strap forming legs having por tions thereofbent to form feet, a yieldable attaching plate extending over each foot and means for permanently connecting each of said plates to its respective foot, said plates being located wholly outwardly from the respective legs and provided at each side of said feet with apertures for receiving elements for securing said device to said floor, said feet and plates being provided with apertures in vertical alinement for receiving fastening elements.

26. Anchoring means for a motor vehicle comprising a tie down formed from strap iron bent to form a loop for engaging a portion of a motor vehicle and having its ends bent to form foot portions each having a return bend, and a foot plate having a portion extending over said foot portion and beneath said return bend, said foot portion and plate having alined openings for receiving fastening means for securing said foot portion and plate in anchoring position.

27. As an article of manufacture, an elastic automobile tie-down device comprising a looped sheet metal strip constructed to be elastically extensible and provided with means for anchoring the ends of the same to a support.

28. As an article of manufacture, an elastic metallic tie-down device for use in the shipment of motor vehicles, said tie-down device being constructed whereby when placed under strain the elasticity thereof will perunit limited shifting movement of the motor vehicle and will restore the motor vehicle to its original mounted position when strain is removed therefrom.

29. An anchoring device for wheeled vehicles comprising a member intermediately return bent and legs at each side of said return bend terminating in feet engageable with a surface to form an attaching means, said legs being elastically extensible.

30. An anchoring device for wheeled vehicles comprising a member intermediately return bent to embrace a wheel spoke and elastically extensible legs at each side of said return bend extending at an angle to the return bent portion and terminating in feet engageable with a surface to form an attaching means.

31. A wheel anchoring device consisting of a flat strip of metal of uniform width throughout having a portion intermediate the ends bent at a right angle to the plane of the strip, the said portion being bent to form a U-shaped member adapted to engage about the spoke of a wheel, the central U-shaped part further being bent at an angle to the legs of the U-shape, the terminal portions of he legs providing feet adapted for attachment to the wheel support.

32. A wheel anchoring device consisting of a flat strip of material of substantially uniform width having a central portion bent substantially at a right angle to the plane of the strip and further being bent to form a U- shape for engaging about the spoke of a wheel, the terminal ends of the strip being bent to form feet for attaching to the floor surface on which the wheel rests, anchoring plates having apertures therein for fastening the feet to the floor surface, at least one of the apertures of the plate being in registration with an aperture provided in the respective foot substantially as and for the purpose described.

33. In an anchoring device for wheeled vehicles wherein a return bent member has a wheel spoke engaging section at the bent portion thereof and side legs having anchoring feet at the free ends thereof, said member being formed of a single strip of sheet metal, the spoke engaging portion being angularly bent relatively to the legs to extend perpendicularly for intimately contacting the spoke, and said feet being bent and angularly disposed relatively to said legs.

34. A device for anchoring an automobile during shipment, comprising a length of strap iron of uniform width throughout and provided with a return bend at its central portion to form a loop for engaging a portion of said automobile, the ends of said strap being bent to form attaching feet provided with apertures there-through, and an apertured attaching plate for each foot, each plate having a portion extending over the corresponding foot and having one of its apertures in alignment with the aperture in said foot, whereby a fastening member may be inserted through the aligned apertures in said foot and plate.

35. Anchoring means for motor vehicles comprising a tie-down formed of a strip of material bent to provide anchoring feet, and a foot plate associated with each foot with nortions of the tie down foot disposed above and below the foot plate in fiat engagement therewith.

36. Anchoring means for motor vehicles ies comprising a tie down formed of a strip of material bent to rovide anchoring feet, and a foot plate rigid y associated with each foot and permanently secured thereto with portions of the tie down foot disposed above and below the foot plate in flat engagement therewith.

37. Anchoring means for motor vehicles comprising a tie down formed of a strip of material bent to provide anchoring feet, a foot plate rigidly associated With each foot with portions of the tie down foot disposed above and below the foot plate, and means for permanently securing the foot plate to the tie down foot.

38. An anchoring device for vehicles comprising a metallic strap bent toprovide a vehicle-engaging loop, legs integral with said loop and feet integral with and disposed at an angle to the lower ends of the legs, platemeans for securing the feet to a support and extending across the feet in flat engagement therewith, the plate-means and the feet having aligned openings for receiving fastening elements, said plate-means being positioned wholly outwardly of said legs and having perforated portions extending laterally to each side of said feet.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDWARD S. EVANS. 

